Introduction Helminthiasis is a common parasitic condition particularly among children in
rural areas in developing countries where poor hygiene standard is practiced.
The study aimed to determine the prevalence of helminthiasis among Indian
preschoolers in urban areas in Penang and its associated factors.
Methods A total of 194 urban Indian preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years old were selected
randomly from 11 kindergartens in the state of Penang for this cross sectional
study. Data collection was carried out in 2 phases. First, microscopic stool
examinations were done to examine the presence of helminths. Second, self
administered questionnaires which inquired about human, environment and
socioeconomic factors were completed by the parents/guardians.
Results The overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 7.2% and the most frequently
encountered infective agent was Ascaris lumbricoides (57.1%) and followed
by the tapeworms (42.86%). The logistic regression indicated that habitual
thumb sucking (AOR= 5.6. 95%CI: 1.73-18.39) and families owning
domestic pets (AOR= 3.2; 95%CI: 1.03-10.14) were the significant
contributing factors to helminthiasis among the Indian pre-schoolers in urban
Penang. Although the prevalence of helminth infection among the urban
Indian preschoolers is lower than rural area, it is still a public health concern.
Children habitual thumb sucking and rearing domestic pets at home were the
significant contributing factors in helminthiasis.
Conclusion Prevention strategy should focus on health education and promotion among
adults and children, awareness on domestic animal hygiene and maintaining
good environmental sanitation. Multi agency collaboration is clearly
essential, especially between state health, education and veterinary
departments in curbing this disease.
Emergency work with regular exposure to traumatic events may cause a large burden of mental health consequences. Among the first responders, firefighters are generally said to have a larger risk for PTSD as they involve directly and indirectly with critical incidents and traumatic events as part of their duties. This systematic review will determine the prevalence of PTSD and identify factors which associated to the PTSD among firefighters.
A balanced interaction between osteoblast and osteoclast plays a major role in maintaining bone strength and structural
integrity. Tocotrienol, a palm derivative with potent antioxidant properties showed an anti-osteoporotic effect but little
is known about its mechanism of action. Hence, this research was conducted to determine the effects of palm tocotrienol
on the surface osteoblast and osteoclast of the the glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic bones. The study involved
40 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g which were randomly divided into an equal number of Baseline,
Sham, Adrx+Dexa (adrenalectomized with dexamethasone), Adrx+Dexa+ATF (adrenalectomized with dexamethasone
supplemented with α-tocopherol) and Adrx+Dexa+PTT (adrenalectomized with dexamethasone supplemented with
palm tocotrienol). Bloods were taken prior to sacrifice for serum biomarkers and either tibia or femur was harvested
for bone biomarkers, gene expressions analysis and histological studies. A double-blinded experiment was performed
to calculate the number of total cells (osteoblasts and osteoclast) with intact nuclei within five fields of view. While
serum osteocalcin and gene expression did not show any changes, CTX level was increased in the Adrx+Dexa group
but reduced after the supplementation of palm tocotrienol. Supplementation of palm tocotrienol also significantly
decrease the osteoclast population (p<0.05) compared to Adrx+Dexa group. In contrast, osteoblast population showed
no significant difference across the groups. The result showed that palm tocotrienol acts by modulating the osteoclasts
but not osteoblast, which revert the dynamics of bone cells population in the osteoporotic bone to its pre-osteoporotic
levels. Supplements of tocotrienol in daily diet may be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis.